Joseph, left, and Theresa Wisden, right, of Cottonwood Heights pose for a photo in their Worldhopper Ball outfits during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fantasy fans converged on Salt Lake City this weekend with capes, masks, swords and more on full display as they gathered at author Brandon Sanderson’s annual fan convention, Dragonsteel Nexus.
The convention, which convened fans of the author from across the country, took place Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Salt Palace Convention Center, and there were plenty of festivities taking place — popular authors like Pierce Brown and Tomi Adeyemi took part in panels and signings with fans, exhibitors displayed fan art and other wares, and Sanderson announced a surprise new novel that will be coming to shelves next year.
Here’s a look at this year’s Dragonsteel Nexus convention.
Kyle Bocian, from Portland, Ore., dressed as Adolin Kholin from Brandon Sanderson's "Stormlight Archive" series, poses for a photo during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Illustrator Ben McSweeney stands up as he is recognized during the release event for Brandon Sanderson's upcoming book "Tailored Realities" during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Attendees listen during the release event for Brandon Sanderson's upcoming book "Tailored Realities" during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Cody Saultz, from Tallahassee, Fla., poses for a photo during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Zane Fruge, from Lafayette, La., poses for a photo in his Spook cosplay during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Attendees wander through during the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City during Dragonsteel Nexus on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
From left, authors Matt Dinniman, Pierce Brown, Tomi Adeyemi and Brandon Sanderson participate in a panel discussing the future of fantasy during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Brandon Sanderson, left, and his wife Emily Sanderson, Dragonsteel co-president and COO, right, speak during the release event for his upcoming book "Tailored Realities" during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Shadows are cast by attendees as they listen to Brandon Sanderson give a talk about his thoughts on art and artificial intelligence during a release event for his upcoming book "Tailored Realities" during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Brandon Sanderson gives a talk about his thoughts on art and artificial intelligence during a release event for his upcoming book "Tailored Realities" during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Emily Sanderson, Brandon Sanderson’s wife and Dragonsteel co-president and COO, waves as she exits the stage during the "Tailored Realities" release event during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A pair of attendees stop to pose for a photo during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans wait their turn for Brandon Sanderson to sign books and memorabilia for them during a rapid signing session during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
An attendee wears a mask as part of his cosplay as he walks around Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans wait their turn for Brandon Sanderson to sign books and memorabilia for them during a rapid signing session during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Attendees wander through the Dragonsteel store during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A Poppy Books stand displays some of Brandon Sanderson’s books before a signing session during Dragonsteel Nexus at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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